The effect of cavity disinfectants on microleakage of composite restorations in primary teeth.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different cavity disinfectants on microleakage of Class V resin- based composite restorations in primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Standard non-beveled Class V cavities were prepared on 50 human primary anterior teeth with the incisal and cervical margin placed on the enamel. The crowns were randomly divided into 6 groups. Four experimental groups of 10 teeth each, in which cavities were disinfected using the following solutions: 1) S. persica extract (Ethanol 1 mg/ml); 2) 1.3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); 3) 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), and 4) No solution applied. Two control groups; 5 teeth each; 5) Negative control: filled cavity and entirely coated with nail varnish and 6) positive control: empty cavity and without nail varnish coating. Each cavity in groups 1-5 were filled with Filtek Z350 XT Universal Restorative (3M Espe, St. Paul, USA). All specimens were thermocycled for 500 cycles (5°C/55°C) and prepared for microleakage evaluation using a 2% methylene blue. RESULTS: For the experimental groups; there was no significant difference in dye penetration between the incisal and cervical walls in all groups (P=0.176). However comparing microleakage by location/walls showed a significant difference in dye penetration between the incisal walls (P=0.014) and cervical walls (P=.045). CONCLUSIONS: None of the disinfectant solutions in the experimental groups were able to prevent dye penetration. In comparison to chlorhexidine gluconate and sodium hypochlorite; application of S. persica did not increase microleakage and was not detrimental to enamel and dentin adhesion using the restorative technique and materials used in this study.

Technical quality of root fillings performed by undergraduate students in Saudi Arabia.

AIM: To evaluate the technical quality of root fillings performed in the undergraduate clinic of the Dental College, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia and to compare the technical quality of root canal treatment between the 4th- and 5th-year students. METHODOLOGY: A random sample of 710 records of patients who had received dental treatment by undergraduate students at the College of Dentistry (Malaz University Campus), between the years of 2005-2008, was investigated. The final sample consisted of 550 root filled teeth in 459 patients. For each root filled tooth, at least three periapical radiographs were examined: preoperative, working length determination and postoperative. The length, density and taper of root fillings, as well as the presence of procedural errors, were recorded. 'Acceptable' filling quality was defined as having adequate length, density and taper with the absence of any procedural error. Results were evaluated statistically using chi-square test. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-five of 550 root filled teeth (23%) had a root filling that was classified as 'acceptable'. There was no statistical significant association between the 4th- and 5th-year students in terms of length (P = 0.134), density (P = 0.081) and taper (P = 0.590). Seventy-five (14%) treated teeth had ledges, 40 (7%) had apical transportation and 37 (7%) had apical root perforation. Ledges had significant association with the level of student (P < 0.0001) and were greater in the cases of 4th-year students (18%) compared to the 5th-year students (8%), whilst root perforations had also significant association with level of students (P = 0.016) and were more in the 5th-year cases (3%) compared to the 4th-year cases (0.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The technical quality of root fillings placed by undergraduate dental students was classified as 'acceptable' in 23% of cases. There was little difference between 4th- and 5th-year students in the overall quality of root fillings.